Am I reading this right? Gavin Newsom is not only in Iowa campaigning for Hillary Clinton but he was appointed a national co-chair of her campaign in August.This is a startling move on Hillary’s part because Iowa is one of the most conservative states in the Union. Even liberals lean conservative.
Hillary’s theory seems to be based on winning the Iowa Democratic caucus now without looking forward to the general election. If she becomes the Democratic candidate for President, she’ll need Iowa’s seven electoral votes, not just the votes of some supposed liberals in caucus.
CBS News may have misprinted when it quoted an SF State Political Science Professor as saying “It’s going to be a pretty liberal state.” I wonder if “state” should have been “slate.”
It’s an understatement to say that Newsom is unpopular with conservatives. That’s why Hillary’s use of him in Iowa is a mystery. It’s one thing to win in the short term and lose when it really counts—when the electoral votes are counted.
In 2004, Bush beat Kerry in Iowa, winning 50% of the Electoral votes to Kerry’s 49%, a slim margin to be sure. But Iowa is a “winner take all state.” A one-electoral vote majority is all that a candidate needs. Newsom’s reputation with conservatives statewide may be the tipping point away from Hillary.
The current composition of Iowa’s congressional delegation is one Democratic Senator and one Republican Senator, three Democratic Representatives and two Republicans, for a total delegation of seven. The Democrats hold a majority four to three.
Why would Hillary chance alienating such a fairly equally divided voting population by introducing Newsom’s reputation into the mix. Iowans aren’t quite as forgiving as San Franciscans. With Newsom’s name connected to Hillary, the debate will turn away from politics to gay marriages and other matters.
I call her move fool hardy and short sighted. If she feels a need for Newsom’s help, she should at least employ him in a liberal state. She’s going to take heat for this tactical blunder. You can bet your bottom dollar that the Republicans are going to use Newsom’s rashness, poor judgment, and fool hardiness against Hillary in the general election. If she were wise, she’d switch to AT.
Billy Boy, if you are advising her, use a little common sense, pal.
DiFi and Nancy are grooming the Gav to go to Washington and protect their personal wealth and interestes in No. Cal when they are out of office. That is what this is about.